President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the Senate to confirm nominees into positions of Chairman, Executive Commissioner, and Non-Executive Commissioners of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In a letter dated August 2, 2016, sent to President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Mr. Buhari nominated Olabiyi Durojaiye as chairman of the commission.
Mr. Durojaiye, a former senator, is to represent the South West.
The president also nominated Sunday Dare as the NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management.
Mr. Dare will also represent the south west. He is an aide to a former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu.
Those nominated as Non-Executive Commissioners are: Aliyu Sa’idu Abubakar (North East), Clement Omeiza Baiye (North Central), Okoi Ofem Obono Obla (South South), Ezekiel Yissa (North Central) and Ifeanyi Ararume (South East).
“The nominations are in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Communications Commission Act 2003,” a statement by the president’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said on Tuesday.
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I have certain issues with these appointments especially the appointment meant of Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye. Now it is hard to ignore that he is one of Tinubu’s aides, which just re-enforces the notion that appointments are being done on paddy paddy basis. Let me try not to dwell on that and see it as a coincidence rather than a consequence of the APC being in power.
First of all this man is in his 80s for heaven’s sake. One might argue that age is but a number but not when it comes to an appointment like this. I’m going to try to be respectful about this because yesterday when I posted something aboutwe the young generation being ruled by old men who are past their prime and relevance, I got a call and was accused of being disrespectful to my elders. Now with all due respect Chief has nothing major to offer at this age. Most people in their 80s in developing countries are retired. This is someone who had his prime in the period of the 1970s and 80s is now being called upon in this new millenia to chair the NCC? Do we really expect efficiency and effectiveness from suc a vital agency with someone his age at the helm?
Honestly it is trouble but what is more troubling is the fact that when you search the internet for him you will find out that he has more of a financial background than a communication background. This then brings up the question, what does the government hope to achieve with such underemployment? what is the rationale behind the appointment.
Even with this little evidence it is obvious that this is more of a political appointment rather than one with proper reason and motive. At the end of the day he is going to be there to receive more pension and guaranteed salary. How no one pointed or adviced against this I do not know. What I know is that this is just another taint and smear on the image of President Buhari’s government.
I blame myself and the rest of my fellow youths for sitting down and allowing this. Instead of demanding representation in government or taking charge of our present we are distracted with meaningless things or trying to survive. Instead of going into activism and opposing the wrong doings of the government and politicians we are busy hailing and bowing to them. We need to wake up and wake up fast.